Concerts, Painting, and More! 4 Fantastic Miami County Venues with Something for Everyone

September 16, 2019

Miami County is home to many exciting theaters and entertainment venues. Whether you’re looking for an exciting concert or a heartwarming play, you’ll definitely find it in Miami County. Here are four incredible venues to get you started:

Troy-Hayner Cultural Center

Troy-Hayner Cultural Center is a stunning 1914 Romanesque mansion turned community arts center. Formerly the home of Mary Jane Hayner, here you will find historic furnishings and works of art, a Victorian dollhouse, and a permanent exhibition about the Hayner Distillery Company.

Troy-Hayner Cultural Center offers a wide variety of classes, exhibits, music events, performances, and more!

The community is encouraged to visit and tour the house. There is no admission and many events are free and open to the public.

Exhibits

Pigments at Play: Collective Brushworks by Four Local Artists (August 23 – October 13)

​Artists Marsha Elliott, Jeanette B. Ferguson, Kathy Moeller, and ​Keith Thue were all influenced at one time or another by the same teacher: Troy-Hayner Cultural Center’s instructor Donna Pierce-Clark.
While receiving the same instruction, each of these artists has developed their own style drawn from their upbringing, background and life experiences. Come experience the different styles of four local artists.

Paris and Vienna Sunrise, Photographs by Laura Vlieg (September 10 – October 20) 

Laura Vlieg is a photographer based in Dayton, Ohio with ties to the Troy community. Laura’s photography will be on display in the Hayner Center’s Art Studio. Her photographs share her experiences in traveling through Paris and Vienna. The images were created through one of her favorite travel rituals: taking in the sights of a waking city at sunrise. To learn more about Laura Vlieg and her work, visit www.lauravlieg.com.

Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations (October 21 – November 30)

Book lovers will enjoy this exhibition, including original illustrations from Caldecott Medal recipients and “runner-up” Honor books, as well as other illustrations by award-winning artists.

This exhibition celebrates the vision and talents of twenty-eight award-winning artists, including Dorothy P. Lathrop, Chris Van Allsburg and Maurice Sendak. Several of these literary pieces have been adapted for the big screen like Where the Wild Things Are, Jumanji and The Polar Express. The exhibition will be a memorable experience for all those who treasured these classic children’s books.

Tim Bowers Presentation & Demonstration (Saturday, November 9th, 1:00 pm)

Tim Bowers is a Trojan native and illustrator of children’s books like Dream Big, Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi, Dinosaur Pet by Neil Sedaka and Footloose by Kenny Loggins. Two of his books made the New York Times Best Seller List.
Additionally, Tim has created hundreds of greeting card illustrations and award-winning Miniature Paintings. He is known for his whimsical and comical characters. 

Troy Civic Theatre

Since opening its doors in 1965, the Troy Civic Theatre has provided the community with a plethora of memorable performances. Both veterans and newcomers grace the stage in four fantastic shows each season.

Troy Civic Theatre is also proud to be an active part of the community, encouraging local playwrights to bring their creations to life. The theater recently presented a reading of “Haveberger’s Disease”—a play written by Todd Bryant, a local businessman.

In addition to their incredible artistic talents, the members of the theater also have quite a sense of humor. The theater’s mascot is none other than “Chickie,” a delightful rubber chicken. An amusing tradition at Troy Civic Theatre is to hide Chickie somewhere onstage before performances—it’s up to the guests to discover his hiding place. Searching for this beloved chicken is certainly an enjoyable way for the audience to bide their time before shows and during intermissions.

Performances

Once Upon a Mattress (September 27-29, October 4-6)

Audiences will enjoy this delightful, comedic twist on the classic fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea.” Embark upon a journey to a medieval kingdom of a very bossy queen, her mute husband, and her spineless son. The law of the land says that no one can marry until her precious Prince Dauntless finds a wife. Sounds simple, right? Not so simple when the Prince’s mother subjects every princess who comes along to ridiculous tasks and tests that prove their worth. The real fun starts when Princess Winnifred arrives and gives the queen a run for her money!

Tickets: $16 per person

A Christmas Carol (November 15-17, November 22-24)

This endearing holiday classic will remind audiences of the true meaning of Christmas. Ebenezer Scrooge is a lonely, greedy old miser who only cares about money. Join Scrooge as he takes a closer look at his past, present, and future with the help of three spirits—will he see the error of his ways? A Christmas Carol is a story about the importance of love, kindness, and generosity—the perfect play for your holiday season.

Tickets: $14 per person

Proof (March 6-8, March 13-15)

Proof is a unique play that explores the serious issue of mental illness and the impact it can have on a family. Catherine is the gifted daughter of a mathematical genius who taught at the University of Chicago before he passed away. She stayed by her father’s side as his mind was ravaged by delusional thoughts due to mental illness, and she fears the same outcome for her own life. Discover Catherine’s fate as she deals with the loss of her father and severely strained relationships with her family and friends.

Tickets: $14 per person

The Hallelujah Girls (May 1-3, May 8-10)

Gather your closest friends and get ready for some belly laughs. The Hallelujah Girls reminds us all to reach for our dreams (and be sure to take our friends along for the ride!). Welcome to the town of Eden Falls, where a fiery, gutsy woman named Sugar Lee has decided that she has waited far too long to make her dreams come true. Sugar Lee transforms an old abandoned church into a beautiful new day spa, catching the attention of a former high school sweetheart and a life-long rival with a bee in her bonnet. What happens next is anyone’s guess!

Tickets: $14 per person

Mayflower Arts Center

The Mayflower Arts Center is a cozy, intimate space where the community can enjoy artistic experiences such as live shows, music, classes, workshops, and films. Located in a historic building in downtown Troy, the Mayflower strives to inspire an appreciation of the arts through numerous public programs.

Whether you’re looking to attend an old-fashioned live radio show or hone your skills as a painter, you’re sure to find an enjoyable activity at the Mayflower Arts Center.

Performances

Mosaic Radio Theatre LIVE! (September 20, October 26, November 15, December 13—7:00 pm)

You won’t want to miss the second season of this incredible live radio show. The two-hour vaudeville show blends interviews, jingles, music, sound effects, mystery, and comedy to create an unforgettable experience. Guests can catch up on the first season—”Suicide for a Kiss”—on YouTube.

Tickets: $10 per person—available at 6:00 pm at the Box Office before each performance.

Hobart Arena

The Hobart Arena opened in 1950 as part of William and Edward Hobart’s vision for an expansive recreational program for the city of Troy. This program included the construction of an 18-hole golf course, a football stadium, and a winter sports arena. The city passed a $450,000 bond issue to build the golf course and stadium while the C.C. Hobart Foundation built and donated the arena.

Since 1950, the Hobart Arena has provided premium entertainment for the community. Some of the greatest entertainers in the world have been welcomed to the arena stage, and millions of guests have visited for sporting events, conferences, trade shows, and concerts.

The Hobart Arena has undergone major upgrades and expansions that began in 1997. The original updates included new roofing, windows, lighting, landscaping, and sound system. In 2015, a $9.6 million renovation project was approved, which resulted in a sizable expansion that allowed the arena to host a wide variety of events.

Performances

Josh Turner (October 10, 8:00 pm)

Country artist Josh Turner grabbed fans’ attention way back in 2003 with the release of his first hit single, “Long Black Train.” Since then, Turner has created numerous hits inspired by the culture, history, and heritage of the south. Turner certainly knows how to play for a crowd, with a mix of love songs, up-tempo beats, and incredible storytelling.

Tickets: $30, $42, and $65 (depending on seating selection)

Home Free: Dive Bar Christmas Tour (December 13, 8:00 pm)

An incredible country all-vocal group, Home Free rocketed to stardom in 2013 after winning season 4 of NBC’s hit show, “The Sing-Off”. Over the years, they’ve gathered a loyal following of fans known as “Home Fries.” This holiday season, you’re sure to feel all warm and fuzzy after a night filled with Christmas classics performed with the group’s innovative twist.

Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55 (depending on seating), VIP packages: $114, $304.50 (limited availability)

Activities

Ice Skating

Hobart Arena boasts a beautiful ice rink that is open to the public. Public skate times vary depending on the time of year—check the schedule for the most up-to-date information. Admission rates: $6 (adult), $5 (youth ages 14 and under), $4 (seniors ages 60+)

Skate rentals: $2.50

Skate sharpening: $6 (same day), $4 (overnight)

 

There’s never a shortage of exciting events happening in Miami County. Concerts, plays, musicals, sports, and endless activities make this a wonderful place to live and visit. Please feel free to contact us to learn about other awesome attractions in the area.